Zheng Du left, but the news he brought about the disappearance of the main force of the Mengshan Army in Tianjin still caused fluctuations in Zhengjiazhuang. The news came out from two channels, of course Zhou Yi would inform Feng Guozhu and others, and Wang Yuecian couldn't help but tell Sun Juan and the others. The news of many local women who had joined the army or helped out in the medical staff immediately caused a shock.

Just one Zhengjiazhuang, how many children followed Long Qian on the expedition?

Cheng Daniu hurriedly ran to the headquarters and found Zhou Yi, "Commander Zhou, I heard that Commander Long is in trouble in the capital, should we send troops over to reinforce them?" ”

Zhou Yi is discussing this matter with Feng Guozhu and others, "Old Cheng, what are you yelling about!" Reinforce? Is there such a good reinforcement? Thousands of miles away! ”

"What then? You can't just sit here and wait, can you? Cheng Daniu shouted loudly.

"Lao Cheng!" Song Jinguo stood up and pulled Cheng Daniu into the room, "Old Cheng, don't shout, that's just Zheng Du's nonsense!" Do you believe it too? Go and tell the folks, it's not like that! What to do, what to do! ”

"Yes. The officers and soldiers were not well-intentioned. They're counting on us to get rid of us. Feng Guozhu said, "It's useful for you to talk in the village, the children are all fighting the national war outside, don't mess up." You know who the commander is, and we won't suffer. ”

"Old Cheng, Zheng Du's guy came here to spread the word just to mess up our position! He's still thinking that we'll send troops to deal with the calves! Speaking of which, they all want us to go! Lao Tzu doesn't go! You go to the house and tell the villagers that there is no news from our main force. Don't listen to rumors. Zhou Yi stood up, "Go quickly." Don't talk nonsense, and block news from other villages. We have to discuss military matters, and no one is allowed to tell this matter except for the owner of Chen Zhuang! ”

To drive away Cheng Daniu, Zhou Yi decided to send someone to the capital, "I want to send someone to the capital to inquire about the news." It's been three months since they've been gone, and it's time for news! It's just like this, and my heart is really unsteady. ”

"That's what the deputy commander said. Who to send? Deng Qinghua asked.

"I'm afraid you're the only one who goes. Others are not at ease. You pick two clever ones. Makeup goes. Zhou Yi stared at Deng Qinghua. It doesn't matter if you have something at home. It's their side that's the key. ”

"It's only appropriate for Tsinghua to take a trip. You can read and break words, I don't have to worry about fighting, do this, I can't do it. Feng Guozhu said.

"Okay. Then I'll prepare. I'll leave tomorrow. Deng Qinghua stood up. saw Chen Chao who came in a hurry.

Inevitably. The news of the Mengshan Army Brigade reached Chen Shu's ears.

"Uncle, listen to Sun Juan, the Mengshan Army Brigade was defeated in Tianjin. Missing. Chen Shu was anxious to find her uncle who had returned home from Zhengjiazhuang.

"Don't listen to their shouting. Who saw it with their own eyes? Chen Chao comforted his niece, "Fighting, you have also seen it, the situation is changing rapidly, and it is normal to lose contact temporarily." ”

Long Qian has said this sentence many times, and now he uses it to comfort his niece.

"I'm just worried about ......"

"It's useless to worry! Shu'er, your heart is too strong to die! If they are destined to create a great cause, then going to Jingshi Qinwang this time will be nothing more than a danger. If we don't have that life, let's forget about them. ”

"I don't believe in fate." Chen Shu said stubbornly.

"It's not okay to don't believe it, there are days in the dark......" Chen Chao looked up at the deep night sky, "When I was young, I didn't believe in fate, just like you." When you are old, you will have to believe if you don't believe it......"

"Since you believe in fate, what do you think, he, what will happen to them?"

"I don't know how to do it, but he'll be fine." Chen Chao was originally going to blow the wind to Chen Shu so that she could be prepared, but after the conversation, Chen Chao himself also believed that Long Qian would be fine. When he heard the news, Chen Chao suddenly remembered the changes in his hometown over the past year, and all kinds of feelings instantly came to his heart: The changes in the past year or so have been too great, how many descendants have been sent away in the past year by the little Chen Jiaya? At a young age, he died in battle...... Even Chen San, who had been with him for 30 years and was like a brother, died in vain at the hands of the officials and soldiers, and he died so miserably. How many unfamiliar faces came? Chenjiaya, a remote mountain villa, has not had so many people in the past few decades. It's not the population, it's the change, the all-round change, I feel that my life has changed, and I can't count how much has changed.

What is the biggest change? Chen Chao has thought about it, the biggest change is that people's hearts have changed, the people's hearts that were originally stable, like a pool of stagnant water, have been disturbed by those people, and people have become restless, even commotionous, aggressive, and even the pace of walking has become faster. The strangest thing is that the families who lost their sons do not blame these outsiders for bringing them disasters, but take their hatred on the government. If it weren't for the Mengshan Army to open Zhengjiazhuang and occupy Chenjiaya, the children of those families would honestly follow the footsteps of their ancestors and finish this life plainly.

Wouldn't that be great? Chen Chao misses the peaceful time a year ago, and the barking of chickens and dogs in the village seems leisurely and peaceful. But are those days really leisurely and peaceful? Chen Chao remembered Chen Gouyu and Cheng Daniu, remembered the Boxer Rebellion in Linxian County, and remembered the crowds of people fleeing the famine, as Long Qian said, China is facing great changes that have not been encountered in 3,000 years!

Three thousand years! The era of Confucius was only 2,500 years ago, and it was pushed forward 3,000 years from now, and it was the time when King Wu was defeated, right? The establishment of the Western Zhou Dynasty brought us the system of etiquette and music, and the use of "rites" became the most important weapon to regulate interpersonal relations, including the three outlines and five constants advocated by Confucianism.

The sky does not change, the Tao does not change, and our ancestors have come day by day. A change not seen in 3,000 years? What do you mean? Is it possible that all the ritual systems that have been formed over the past 3,000 years are going to collapse? At the beginning, Chen Chao did ask Long Qian, and Long Qian said that our original threat always came from the north, the Xiongnu of Han, the Turks of Tang, the Jin of Song and Mongolia, until the Later Jin destroyed the Ming Dynasty. What now? The threat from the north has not been eliminated, and the danger at sea is even greater, can you think of a few thousand Xiyi to be able to cross the ocean to China and fight all the way to Beijing? Can you think that one day honest farmers will also worship foreign gods? Since the industrial revolution was achieved in the West, the way of the world has changed. This century of wealth creation. More than all the previous dynasties combined! We are an agrarian society, doomed to be defeated by industrialized countries, unless we also industrialize, and do it better than they do.

What is industrialization, Long Qian talked to him. He neither understood nor believed. But the world was changing, and it became incomprehensible to him.

"Shu'er, Zhou Yi and they have already discussed, and they want to send someone to the capital to find Long Qian. News should be available soon. You don't have to worry anymore. ”

"That's great. I'm going with them. ”

"Nonsense! Isn't it a mess to take you to your daughter's house? Zheng Du said. The capital has been occupied by foreigners. Even the emperor and the queen mother ran away__"

"What does it have to do with me whether they run or not? I'm going to find him, as long as he's okay__" Chen Shu's big eyes flashed with tears.

Chen Chao couldn't bear to reprimand his niece, so he could only comfort, "This road is high and dangerous." It is inconvenient for Section Chief Deng to take one of your daughters. Haven't you heard? There are more than 100,000 foreign soldiers in the area of Beijing__Don't cry. Let me think. Chen Chao saw tears rolling down his niece's cheeks. The heart softened.

didn't make Chen Chao embarrassed for long, and early the next morning, the headquarters sent someone to call him to Zhengjiazhuang. Walking into the hall where Long Qian lived at the beginning, Chen Chao saw Jiang Yun dressed as a noble son in silk at a glance.

"Jiang Yun! Is it really you? The commander is back? Chen was overjoyed.

"Lord Chen Zhuang is fine," Jiang Yun stood up with a smile, "The commander escorted the imperial court to Taiyuan, and everything is fine with him." ”

"Jiang Yun, tell Master Chen Zhuang about the situation of the commander and the brigade again." Zhou Yi smiled.

"No need, it's good that the Zhilu Dao Brigade has nothing to do." Chen Chao suddenly felt relaxed, "You came from Taiyuan?" ”

"No, I came from Shanxi to Henan and from Guide." Jiang Yun still told the situation of the Mengshan Army Brigade in 1510, and when it came to the thrilling place, Chen Chao almost exclaimed, "So, the commander was sent to Beijing by the imperial court?" Want to make peace with foreigners? Of course, Jiang Yun omitted to go to Beijing to rob the palace.

"Yes, I didn't see the Commander. He and Situ have returned to Taiyuan, and may now be in Beijing. On the orders of the chief of staff, I went from Beijing to Taiyuan, and the area around Zhili was not quiet, and Baoding Mansion was still occupied by foreign devils. When I arrived at Niangzi Pass to find our team, Brother Lushan sent me back to Shandong to pick up David to Beijing, I discussed with Wang Zhifeng and Zhang Xiaoding, or a detour, so I went to the party into Henan, and came back after a big turn. ”

Jiang Yun did not tell Chen Chao that he and his two subordinates had six thousand taels of gold on them, which were funds for the troops left behind, which was equivalent to more than 90,000 taels of silver. Before Chen Chao arrived, Jiang Yun had already handed over Long Qian's instructions and gold conveyed by Lu Shan to Zhou Yi and Song Jinguo. Seeing that everything was normal in the left-behind camp also made Jiang Yun feel relieved.

"Yesterday Zheng Du came and said that the brigade had been broken up in Tianjin. It's going to make everyone worry about death. I was about to send someone to Jingshi, and you're back! Okay, great. The brigade is all right? When will they come back? Chen Chao continued to ask.

"Our main force did fight a few vicious battles in Tianjin, and the casualties were very large. But the battle was won. By the way, about the casualties, don't talk about it to the outside world first, lest the villagers worry too much. However, the officers above the battalion commander are all fine, and there is nothing to do. Now the main force is divided into two places, Chief of Staff Ning and Battalion Commander Wang are still in Beijing with part of their troops, waiting for the opportunity to transfer out. Lu Shan and Feng Lun led the rest of the troops to garrison Niangzi Pass, recruit new soldiers, and pay close attention to training. Listening to Lu Shan, the commander has already given overall consideration to the development of the situation. The commander is most worried about his family now. Seeing that you are all good, the commander is relieved. Master Chen, the commander has a letter to you, you can come out with me. ”

Chen Chao followed Jiang Yun out of the house, and Jiang Yun took out a letter from his arms, "This is from Commander Tuolushan to you, it is very important." Do as the letter commands. Don't worry about money, just ask Lao Song for it. I brought back a lot of it, all gold. In addition, these two foreign gadgets were captured by the commander on the battlefield and given to the eldest lady, you give them to her. Jiang Yun spread out his hand, and it was a silver pocket watch and a golden cross.

"For Shu'er?" Chen Chao picked up the cross, "It's really gold." ”

"yes." Jiang Yun smiled, "Keep it for the eldest lady to play." ”

"Well, you'd better give it to her personally. She might want to ask you something. Chen Chao shook his head, returned the cross to Jiang Yun, took out the unsealed letter and read it to Chaoyang.

"What? Looking for a safe person, or a scholar, to go to Dunhuang? Dunhuang in Gansu? Where is Dunhuang? What are Mogao Grottoes? Chen Chao was completely confused by Long Qian's letter.

"I don't know." Jiang Yun was still smiling, "However, since the commander has arranged it like this, it must be a big deal." It's up to you. ”

"What about you? Want to go back? ”

"Of course. I'm going to take David away this time. ”

"Master Chen, are you finished?" Deng Qinghua came out, "Let's discuss, Jiang Yun came back by coincidence, otherwise, I will be on the road." You haven't eaten, have you? When we've discussed, let's eat together. ”

Zhou Yi, Feng Guozhu, Song Jinguo, Deng Qinghua, Jiang Yun and Chen Chao held a meeting behind closed doors, and Zhou Yi presided, "Now that we know the situation of the brigade, we will rest assured." Because he was afraid that it would not be safe on the road, the commander's words were conveyed to Jiang Yun by Lu Shan. The contact between Shanxi and Beijing has been communicated, Jiang Yun is back, and the situation on our side will be brought back by Jiang Yun. That's right, it's the establishment of a traffic station, this matter is the business of your intelligence department, I won't ask in detail, you need manpower, you can transfer it. Zhou Yi said to Jiang Yun.

"Yes." Jiang Yun replied in accordance with the military regulations. However, he looked funny in a robe and a riding coat.

Zhou Yi waved his hand and asked Jiang Yun to sit down, "The commander thinks that right now, Yuan Shikai will not use force against us, but he can't be careless." We won't fight the calves, and we won't be used as gunmen for the government. Therefore, the main thing in the base areas is to strengthen military training, just in case. I am responsible for this matter with Guozhu and Tsinghua. The matter conveyed by the commander about giving preferential treatment to the families of military martyrs and building a base area will be discussed with Chen Zhuang and Master Chen. Let's have one purpose, wait for the commander to bring the brigade back. ”

"That's right. That's it. Feng Guozhu rubbed his hands, "The war is ours, and the rest is yours," he stretched out his hand and slapped Song Jinguo on the back, "I suggest that some weapons be drawn and the security teams of each village be organized to form a battalion specifically responsible for guarding." The left-behind battalions are no longer tasked with guarding the villages, and are assembled to deal with emergencies. ”

"I agree with Lao Feng's opinion, now there are several places in several places, which is not conducive to coping." Deng Qinghua said.

"Okay, set up a reserve battalion, who should be the battalion commander?" Zhou Yi asked.

"I'd suggest Sheng Guang do it. He put a lot of effort into training these recruits. Feng Guozhu replied.

"Yes. Let Sheng Guang act as the battalion commander. Zhou Yi nodded.

"Deputy Commander Zhou, I won't participate in your discussion of military affairs. The commander told me something special, I had to find the right person. Chen Chao stood up.

"Okay, ask for money and people, you speak." Zhou Yi also stood up.

"I want money, but I have to find it." Chen Chao smiled and walked out of the hall. The morning sun shone on Chen Chao's face, he squinted comfortably and took a deep breath of cool air. All the worries before coming have disappeared, he is not worried about heavy casualties, as long as Long Qian is well, the Mengshan army will be alive. (To be continued......)